Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Good Old Days are here again

A visitor from a few days back takes issue with the (perceived) suggestion that the days when publishers ordered their friends' business or social doings into the paper at random are gone. We're certainly happy to stipulate that that's not what we had in mind. For a variety of reasons,* I expect it's less prevalent than it was three and four decades ago, but that's a hypothesis, not an observation.** But for those who thought this flavor of sacred cow had gone extinct on us,*** have a look and enjoy.

How did the "local philanthropist" here come to merit the bulk of the front page -- "call him Waco's behind-the-scenes booster" lede and all? (Aside from his claim to have been the highest-paid insurance salesman in the country at age 25, I mean.) Hmm. Wonder if there are any hints with the jump? Like, say, that pull quote at the top of the page from the, ahem, "new owner" of the paper?

Well, freedom of the press has always been uniquely guaranteed to those who own one.**** Sometimes it's just a bit more visible than others.* Counterintuitive as it might seem, the spread of chain ownership is one; when you're getting your passport stamped on a two- or three-year rotation, it's harder to build the sort of deep-catalog incestuous relationships you need.** Nor do I know of any evidence that the public has a better idea of how often (or under what circumstances) it happens.*** Or haven't heard the tale about the nuns and the pancake breakfast.**** For extra credit, see how long it takes you to find the actual quote via Google.